Interwar Years (1918-1939) Flashcards
1
Q
What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
An international agreement between 62 countries to not use war to resolve disputes.
2
Q
Was Germany included in the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
Yes, Germany was included as an equal partner with the other 61 countries.
3
Q
Why was Germany’s inclusion in the Kellogg-Briand Pact significant?
A
It showed Germany was accepted as an equal and a trusted, respected power.
4
Q
What was the main aim of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
To prevent war by having countries agree to resolve disputes peacefully.
5
Q
Why was the United States’ involvement important in the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
Because the US was not in the League of Nations but still took part in promoting peace.
6
Q
How did moderate Germans react to the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
They supported it as a step towards peace and international respect.
7
Q
How did extremist parties in Germany react to the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
They hated it because it did not remove Treaty of Versailles sanctions.
8
Q
Why did extremist Germans oppose the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
A
Because it did not undo the punishments and terms from the Treaty of Versailles.
9
Q
What were the Locarno Treaties?
A
A series of agreements between European nations made in 1925 to improve relations and secure borders.
10
Q
Where were the Locarno Treaties negotiated and agreed?
A
Negotiated in Locarno, Switzerland and agreed in London in December 1925.
11
Q
Which countries were the focus of the main Locarno Treaty?
A
Germany, France, and Belgium.
12
Q
What was the main focus of the Locarno Treaties?
A
To set and guarantee the borders between Germany, France, and Belgium.
13
Q
How did the Locarno Treaties affect Germany’s stance on the Treaty of Versailles?
A
It seemed like Germany was accepting the Treaty of Versailles by agreeing to the new borders.
14
Q
What did Germany agree about the Rhineland in the Locarno Treaties?
A
That it would remain demilitarised.
15
Q
Why were the Locarno Treaties significant for European diplomacy?
A
They promoted peace and cooperation and reduced tensions after WWI.
16
Q
What was the League of Nations created to do?
A
To help maintain peace and resolve international disputes after WWI.
17
Q
What was the dispute over Upper Silesia in 1921?
A
Both Germany and Poland claimed the region; the League helped resolve it.
18
Q
How did the League resolve the Upper Silesia dispute?
A
By holding a vote and dividing the territory based on how people voted.
19
Q
What does the Upper Silesia case show about the League?
A
It shows the League could resolve disputes peacefully and fairly.
20
Q
What did the Locarno Treaties demonstrate about the League?
A
That the League helped embed the Treaty of Versailles terms into global diplomacy.
21
Q
What happened in 1920 between Poland and Lithuania?
A
Poland invaded Lithuania and ignored League intervention.
22
Q
Why couldn’t the League stop Poland’s actions in 1920?
A
Because it had no army to enforce its decisions.
23
Q
What happened in 1923 when Italy invaded Greece?
A
The League sided with Italy and forced Greece to pay compensation.
24
Q
What did the 1923 Corfu Incident reveal about the League?
A
It showed that the League was weak against powerful countries.
25
26
Why was the League not always successful?
Because it lacked a standing army and strong enforcement power.
27
What were the League of Nations' commissions designed to do?
Focus on specific global issues and work with members to solve them.
28
What was the role of the Refugees Committee?
To help people displaced by WWI return to their homes.
29
What did the Slavery Commission aim to achieve?
To abolish slavery worldwide.
30
What was the goal of the Health Committee?
To improve access to healthcare across the world.
31
What did the Mandates Commission do?
It administered former German colonies taken after WWI.
32
How many main areas did the League of Nations focus on through its commissions?
Four main areas: Refugees, Slavery, Health, and Mandates.
33
What was the International Labour Organisation (ILO)?
A part of the League of Nations that aimed to improve global working conditions.
34
How often did the ILO meet?
Once a year.
35
Who did the ILO bring together?
Workers, employers, and governments.
36
What was the main goal of the ILO?
To improve the working conditions of people around the world.
37
What did the ILO do besides holding meetings?
It produced reports and suggestions on working conditions.
38
How did the ILO try to make changes?
By persuading League members to adopt its recommendations.
39
What was the Permanent Court of International Justice?
A court created by the League to rule on disputes between member states.
40
Where was the Permanent Court of International Justice based?
The Hague, Netherlands.
41
What was the role of the Permanent Court of International Justice?
To settle disagreements and legal disputes between countries peacefully.
42
Who made up the bench of the Court?
Judges from different member states of the League.
43
What was a major limitation of the Court?
It had no power to enforce its rulings.
44
The League of Nations was supported by which organization?
Secretariat
45
What role did the Secretariat play in the League of Nations?
Advisory and administrative body
46
What tasks did the Secretariat perform?
Kept records, recorded notes from meetings, and created reports
47
What specialized areas did the Secretariat's teams advise the League of Nations on?
Economics, Education, and Health
48
How often did the Council of the League of Nations meet?
Five times a year
49
What was the size of the Council in comparison to the Assembly?
The Council was a far smaller group
50
Who were the permanent members of the Council?
The most powerful countries in the world
51
What power did the permanent members of the Council have?
They had a veto, meaning they could stop any action
52
What happens if one permanent member does not agree to an action?
The action would not be taken
53
What was the role of the Council in the League of Nations?
It was the decision-making body and heard disputes between countries
54
What were the punishments the Council could hand down?
Moral condemnation, economic sanctions, and military force
55
What is moral condemnation in the context of the Council's actions?
A telling off and a demand to cease any action
56
What are economic sanctions?
Restrictions on trade to pressure a nation to stop its actions
57
What was the final action the Council could take against a nation?
Military force, where League members would send armies to stop the aggressor
58
What was the main idea behind the League of Nations?
To promote peace across the world by having all countries join
59
What role was the United States expected to play in the League of Nations?
Lead the way in promoting peace and security globally
60
Why was the idea of the League of Nations unpopular in the United States?
Many Americans felt the US should not get involved in European affairs after WWI
61
What did the US Congress have to do for the United States to join the League of Nations?
Agree to join the League
62
Why was it difficult for President Wilson to get the United States to join the League?
Many Americans did not want to become the world’s policeman after WWI
63
What was the outcome of Wilson’s repeated attempts to get the US to join the League?
Each attempt was thwarted by the United States Congress
64
Which countries were the most powerful remaining members of the League of Nations?
Britain and France
65
What was the impact of the United States not joining the League of Nations?
Anything the League did had to have the approval of Britain and France
66
How were Britain and France affected by the aftermath of the First World War?
Both countries were military depleted and financially ruined
67
Why was it difficult for the League to apply economic sanctions without the US?
The US was one of the most powerful economic nations
68
What were Britain and France's international priorities?
Britain focused on maintaining the Empire, and France was focused on Germany and reparations
69
How did France's concern with Germany affect the League's actions?
France often acted without the League, fearing Britain would not support her on Germany
70
Who devised the League of Nations?
President Wilson
71
What was President Wilson's vision for the League of Nations?
An international organisation acting as a global parliament for countries to debate and discuss issues
72
How was Wilson's vision for the League contested by Britain?
Britain wanted the League to only work in global emergencies, acting as a crisis management organisation
73
How was Wilson's vision for the League contested by France?
France wanted the League to be a strong international organisation with its own army
74
Who’s view of the League of Nations became the dominant one?
Wilson’s view
75
What was Wilson's view on the membership of the League of Nations?
All nations should be members and committed to disarmament
76
What was to happen if countries disagreed under Wilson's vision for the League?
They would appeal to the League of Nations to resolve the disagreement
77
What were countries supposed to do if a member country was invaded?
Countries should come to the aid of the invaded country
78
What would happen if a country broke the agreements of the League?
Other members would stop trading and, if necessary, use military force to stop further military action
79
Why was the idea of the League of Nations popular?
It offered a global community where disputes could be solved, backed up by the threat of military force from the USA
80
Why did Britain disagree with Wilson’s ideas on self-determination for countries?
Britain did not agree with Wilson’s ideas on self-determination because it would lead to many countries in the British Empire wanting to be independent.
81
What was one notable disagreement between France and the United States?
One notable disagreement came between France and the United States over their ideas about Germany, particularly regarding the Rhineland and the Saar.
82
What was the disagreement between Clemenceau and Wilson about?
Clemenceau and Wilson were furthest apart on their ideas about Germany, with intense disagreement about the Rhineland and the Saar.
83
How did the United States handle the disagreements over the Rhineland and the Saar?
The United States ultimately gave up on these issues but did allow progress in Eastern Europe.
84
Who signed the Treaty of Versailles on 28th June 1919?;Ebert
the leader of Germany
85
What percentage of soldiers sent by France to the front were either wounded or killed?
Over half of the soldiers France sent to the front were wounded, and over an eighth were killed.
86
Who was Britain’s Prime Minister during the Treaty discussions?
Britain’s Prime Minister was David Lloyd George, a Liberal MP.
87
What middle ground did David Lloyd George try to find during the Treaty negotiations?
David Lloyd George wanted to tread a middle ground between the competing ideas of France and America.
88
What did David Lloyd George promise in the 1918 British election?
David Lloyd George campaigned in the 1918 British election, promising to make Germany pay.
89
What were David Lloyd George's main concerns regarding Germany after the war?
David Lloyd George wanted to stop German threats to the British Empire and protect British jobs in manufacturing, many of which depended on trade with Germany.
90
Why did David Lloyd George not want Britain to lose trade with Germany?
Before the war, Germany was Britain’s biggest trading partner, and losing that trade might cause British people to lose their jobs, which could make him lose an election.
91
What was Wilson determined to achieve at the peace talks?
Wilson was determined to work for a fairer world and used various types of leverage, including Britain and France’s debts, to get his way.
92
What was Wilson’s view on countries and colonies ruling themselves?
Wilson wanted countries and colonies to be able to control their own futures, promoting the idea of self-determination.
93
What idea did Wilson detest, and what did he want to end?
Wilson detested the idea of Empire and wanted to see the end of the Austro-Hungarian and Turkish Empires.
94
Were Wilson's ideas on self-determination universally popular?
No, Wilson’s ideas were not universally popular.
95
What was the territorial change regarding Alsace-Lorraine in the Treaty?
Alsace-Lorraine would become part of France.
96
What happened to the Rhineland in the Treaty?
The Rhineland would be demilitarised.
97
Which region was given to Denmark under the Treaty?
North Schleswig would go to Denmark.
98
Who would run Saarland according to the Treaty?
Saarland would be run by the League of Nations.
99
What was the territorial change regarding West Prussia in the Treaty?
West Prussia would go to Poland to create a Polish Corridor to the sea.
100
What happened to the city of Danzig in the Treaty?
The city of Danzig was to be made a free city, run by the League of Nations.
101
When did the Paris Peace Conference take place?;The Paris Peace Conference took place between 1919 and 1920.
102
How many countries were involved in the Treaty of Versailles?;There were 32 countries involved in the Treaty of Versailles.
103
Which countries were considered the "Big Three" during the Treaty negotiations?;The "Big Three" were Britain
France
104
Who were mostly responsible for deciding what to do with Germany during the Treaty of Versailles?;The Big Three (Britain
France
105
What did Japan decide to do instead of withdrawing from Manchuria?
Japan decided to continue its invasion of China.
106
What was Japan's argument for continuing its invasion of China?
Japan argued that it was a matter of self-defense and necessary to protect itself from China.
107
What action did Japan take after the League of Nations voted against it?
Japan left the League of Nations, withdrawing its support.
108
How did Japan's removal from the League impact the organization?
Japan's removal was a major blow to the League.
109
What efforts did the League attempt to take against Japan?
The League attempted to enforce economic sanctions against Japan, but these efforts were hampered.
110
Why were the League's sanctions against Japan ineffective?
The sanctions were ineffective because the United States, Japan's biggest trading partner, was not in the League, and Britain also undermined the efforts to keep good relations with Japan.
111
Why did the League fail to act decisively against Japan?
The League members did not want to risk a war, so decisions were averted.
112
Which countries could have done something about Japan's actions?
The Soviet Union or the United States could have acted, but neither was in the League.
113
What did the Manchurian Crisis demonstrate to countries like Italy and Germany?
The Manchurian Crisis showed that the League of Nations was powerless to stop international aggression.
114
What event in 1929 contributed to many countries entering a depression?
The Wall Street crash in 1929 contributed to many countries entering a depression.
115
How did the depression affect countries' interest in the League of Nations?
The depression meant many countries were battling with internal problems, reducing their interest in the League of Nations.
116
Why did Stalin want parts of Poland?
Stalin wanted parts of Poland because some of their territory used to belong to the Russian Empire before the First World War.
117
When did the German Army invade Poland?
The German Army invaded Poland on 1st September 1939.
118
When did the Soviet Army invade Poland?
The Soviet Army invaded Poland on 17th September 1939.
119
How quickly was the invasion of Poland?
The invasion was quick.
120
What did Britain and France do after Germany invaded Poland?
Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3rd September 1939, keeping their promises to Poland.
121
What was the Munich Agreement?
The Munich Agreement was the agreement that came out of the Munich Conference held to solve the Sudeten Crisis.
122
Which countries were involved in the Munich Conference?
The Munich Conference involved Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.
123
Was Czechoslovakia invited to the Munich Conference?
No, Czechoslovakia was not invited to the Munich Conference, despite the meeting concerning them.
124
What decision was made at the Munich Conference regarding the Sudetenland?
The decision was to give the Sudetenland to Germany.
125
Who was not consulted when the decision was made about the Sudetenland?
Neither the Czechs nor the Soviet Union were consulted.
126
How did Czechoslovakia's leader, Benes, respond to the Munich Agreement?
Benes was outraged at the betrayal and resigned from his post.
127
What happened to Czechoslovakia as a result of the Munich Agreement?
Czechoslovakia lost the Sudetenland to the Reich.
128
What did Chamberlain proclaim upon returning to Britain after the Munich Agreement?
Chamberlain returned to Britain and proclaimed peace to the nation.
129
What did Chamberlain do despite promising peace after the Munich Agreement?
Despite promising peace, Chamberlain began the process of rearming Britain and increasing weapons spending to prepare for a potential war.
130
Who was the leader of Czechoslovakia during the Sudeten Crisis?;Czechoslovakia was led by Edward Benes during the Sudeten Crisis.
131
What was Edward Benes deeply concerned about after Anschluss?;Edward Benes was deeply concerned about Germany’s actions after Anschluss.
132
What did Edward Benes do to protect Czechoslovakia from German aggression?;Benes worked desperately with Britain
France
133
How did Hitler stir up trouble for Czechoslovakia during the Sudeten Crisis?;Hitler used local Nazis to stir up trouble for the Czech authorities in a similar way to his tactics in Austria.
134
What assurances did Benes receive from France
Britain
135
Why was the Sudetenland important to Czechoslovakia?;The Sudetenland was important because it housed many Czech armament factories and defenses
so losing it would leave Czechoslovakia defenseless.
136
What did Neville Chamberlain do to help prevent war during the Sudeten Crisis?;Neville Chamberlain met with Hitler
who claimed that Germany only wanted parts of the Sudetenland where Germans lived
137
What was Chamberlain's belief about the Sudetenland agreement with Hitler?;Chamberlain believed it was a reasonable course of action and was convinced it would be the end of the issue.
138
What happened after Chamberlain and the French submitted the plan to the Czechs?;Just days later
Hitler demanded all of the Sudetenland
139
What pretext did Hitler use to justify demanding all of the Sudetenland?;Hitler claimed the Czechs were oppressing the Germans and that the Reich needed to rescue them.
140
What was the result of the Sudeten Crisis?;The Sudeten Crisis led to the Munich Agreement in September 1938.
141
What was the Anti-Comintern Pact?
The Anti-Comintern Pact was an agreement between Germany, Italy, and Japan to work together to stop the spread of Communism around the globe.
142
Who was the Anti-Comintern Pact specifically aimed at?
The Anti-Comintern Pact was aimed squarely at the USSR.
143
How did Germany and Italy's relationship develop during the Spanish Civil War?
Germany and Italy worked well together during the Spanish Civil War, helping bring about a fascist victory over communism.
144
What did Hitler and Mussolini recognize about their relationship?
Hitler and Mussolini recognized that they had much in common and that working together would be in their mutual interest.
145
Which other country joined the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936?
Japan joined the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936, followed by Italy in 1937.
146
What did the Anti-Comintern Pact evolve into?
The Anti-Comintern Pact evolved into the Axis Alliance or Axis Powers.
147
What pressure did Hitler apply to the Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg?
Hitler pressured Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg, claiming that Anschluss was the only option for Austria.
148
What did Schuschnigg do in response to Hitler's pressure?
Schuschnigg appealed to Britain and France, but they ignored his requests and made clear that they did not oppose German unity with Austria.
149
How did Schuschnigg try to resolve the issue of Anschluss?
Schuschnigg held a plebiscite to ask the Austrian people to decide the matter.
150
How did Hitler manipulate the plebiscite in Austria?
Hitler sent German soldiers to Austria to oversee the vote, which was meant to ensure a free and fair vote but was actually a method of intimidation.
151
What was the result of the plebiscite in Austria?
The plebiscite passed with 99.75% of people voting for unity with Austria.
152
What was the Spanish Civil War?
The Spanish Civil War was a conflict between the Nationalist and Republican forces in Spain.
153
Who supported the Republic in the Spanish Civil War?
The communists supported the Republic in the Spanish Civil War.
154
Who supported the Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War?
The right-wing supporters of General Franco supported the Nationalist forces.
155
How did Hitler assist Franco during the Spanish Civil War?
Hitler used his military force to assist Franco in defeating the Republican forces.
156
What did Hitler test in Spain during 1937?
During 1937, Hitler tested his air force in Spain to aid General Franco.
157
What were the results of Hitler's military testing in Spain?
The results were devastating, with large areas of towns such as Guernica destroyed and many civilians killed.
158
What tactics did Hitler test during the Spanish Civil War?
Hitler tested blitzkrieg tactics, using Stuka dive bombers, which proved to be a lethal development in warfare.
159
What did the Spanish Civil War prove to Hitler about blitzkrieg tactics?
The Spanish Civil War proved to Hitler that blitzkrieg tactics could be used for maximum devastation elsewhere.
160
What did the Treaty of Versailles prohibit regarding Germany's military?
The Treaty of Versailles prohibited German rearmament and placed severe restrictions on their armed forces.
161
How did Hitler rearm Germany despite the Treaty of Versailles?
Hitler rearmed Germany in secret and needed time to properly prepare the armed forces.
162
How did Hitler buy time for rearmament?
Hitler signed a nonaggression pact with Poland, eliminating the military threat from Poland and gaining time for rearmament.
163
What was the Rearmament Rally, also known as the Freedom to Rearm Rally?
The Rearmament Rally was an event in 1935 where Hitler showcased Germany's rearmament effort, including new aircraft for the Luftwaffe and an increase in the number of soldiers.
164
What did Hitler promise at the Rearmament Rally?
Hitler promised that Germany would introduce conscription for boys over the age of 19, swelling the army to around 1 million personnel.
165
Why was rearmament popular in Germany?
Rearment was popular in Germany because it reduced unemployment and increased support for the Nazi Party.
166
What agreement had France and the USSR signed?
France and the USSR had signed an agreement in which they promised to defend each other against attack by Germany.
167
How did Hitler use this agreement to support remilitarization?
Hitler used the France-USSR agreement as a pretext to support remilitarization, claiming that Germany was now threatened.
168
What was Hitler's view on Britain's response to remilitarization?
Hitler knew that Britain wouldn’t intervene in the remilitarization.
169
What was Hitler less sure about regarding France?
Hitler was less sure about whether France would intervene in response to Germany’s remilitarization.
170
What happened to the Saar region after the First World War?
After the First World War, the Saar region of Germany was given to the League of Nations to control.
171
Why was the Saar region significant to Germany?
The Saar region was a major source of Germany’s coal.
172
What did the Treaty of Versailles state regarding the Saar region?
The Treaty of Versailles stated that a plebiscite would be held to decide who should rule the Saar in the future.
173
What happened in the 1935 plebiscite regarding the Saar region?
In 1935, the Saar region voted 90% in favour of returning to Germany.
174
How did Hitler view the result of the Saar plebiscite?
Hitler regarded the 1935 plebiscite result as a great success.
175
What did the League fail to do during the Abyssinian and Manchurian Crises?
The League failed to stand up against one of the strongest members and did not fulfill the promise of collective security.
176
What did the Abyssinian and Manchurian Crises show about the League of Nations?
Both crises showed that the League would not stand up against countries that wanted to push the boundaries.
177
Who watched the League’s failures during these crises?
Hitler watched the League's failures and saw that the League would not stand up to him.
178
What agreement did Hitler sign in November 1936?
Hitler signed the Rome-Berlin Axis in November 1936, in which Hitler and Mussolini agreed to work together.
179
What were the British and French foreign ministers scheming to do during the Abyssinian crisis?
The British (Hoare) and French (Laval) foreign ministers were scheming to end the Abyssinian crisis by secretly planning to give Mussolini two-thirds of Abyssinia in exchange for stopping the Italian invasion.
180
What did Laval propose regarding the plan to end the Abyssinian crisis?
Laval proposed that the plan should be agreed in secret between Britain, France, and Italy before telling the League of Nations.
181
What did France threaten Britain with regarding sanctions?
France threatened that it would not support sanctions in the League of Nations against Italy.
182
How did the League of Nations find out about the secret plan?
The plan became known to the League of Nations through a leak in the French Press.
183
What was the public reaction to the secret plan?
There was an outcry of public opposition to the deal, especially from the United States, who were outraged by Britain and France’s involvement in the crisis.
184
What happened to Hoare and Laval after the leak?
Both Hoare and Laval were sacked from their positions as foreign ministers.
185
What actions did the League of Nations take in response to Italy's aggression?;The League of Nations banned the selling of weapons to Italy
as well as banning loans and the selling of rubber
186
What did the League debate regarding oil exports to Italy?;The League debated whether to ban oil exports to Italy
but the decision was delayed.
187
What was one major decision the League made to counter Italy's aggression?;One major decision was the closure of the Suez Canal to Italian shipping.
188
How would the closure of the Suez Canal have helped Abyssinia?;If Britain and France had closed the Suez Canal to Italy
it would have cut off Italian supply ships
189
When was the decision on banning oil exports made
and what was the outcome?;The decision on oil was made in February 1936
190
What was the Stresa Pact?;The Stresa Pact was an agreement between Britain
France
191
What did the Stresa Pact commit Britain
France
192
What was notable about the Stresa Pact in relation to the Abyssinian Crisis?;Although the Stresa Pact was negotiated during the Abyssinian Crisis
it did not once mention Abyssinia.
193
How did Mussolini interpret the Stresa Pact regarding Abyssinia?;Mussolini felt comfortable in invading Abyssinia without intervention from Britain and France because the pact did not mention Abyssinia.
194
What dispute occurred in 1934 between Italy and Abyssinia?
In 1934, there was a dispute between Italian and Abyssinian forces at the Wal-Wal oasis.
195
How did Mussolini use the Wal-Wal dispute as a justification?
Mussolini used the Wal-Wal dispute as a reason to invade Abyssinia in 1935.
196
How did public opinion in Britain react to Italy's actions?
Public opinion in Britain turned against Italy, and many British people supported the use of force against Italy in Abyssinia.
197
What did many British politicians say about Italy's actions?
Many British politicians spoke about how Italy was in the wrong and should be protected by the League.
198
Did this public outcry lead to any action against Italy?
No, despite the talk and debate, it did not result in action, just more discussion.
199
What did the League of Nations declare about the Wal-Wal incident?
The League declared that no one could be held to blame for the Wal-Wal incident and that Italy should be given some of Abyssinia.
200
How did Mussolini respond to the League's decision?
Mussolini did not agree with the League's decision and, in October 1935, his armies invaded Abyssinia.
